This was posted locally in New Orleans and I thought some of you might be interested and could perhaps help.
Thanks Paz NURSING HOME SUCCEEDS IN BARRING DUCK LADY FROM PARTY! Police are called as friends attempt to bring cake and presents to Ruthie! New Orleans, LA. -- Ruth Grace Moulon, known for 50 years as the French Quarter's most famous eccentric, "Ruthie the Duck Lady" or "Duck Girl," turned 68 years-old on Saturday, January 19th. A party was held for her at Rock 'N Bowl Cafe, but without the presence of the guest-of-honor who was locked away in an Uptown nursing home. The annual party was attended by around 55 people, some from out-of-town, and many bearing gifts. Ruthie's old flame, Gary Moody, flew in from Minnesota for the occasion. By order of the administrative staff of St. Charles Health Care, Ruthie was not allowed to attend. When Diane Ardon, a long-time friend of Ruthie, went to pick her up at the nursing home that afternoon, she was told Ruthie was not there and that her family had taken her out. The claim that Ruthie was with family was quite suspicious since Ruthie has no family. Her closet living relatives are cousins who do not live in the New Orleans area, and have not maintained a relationship with Ruthie since they were children. Two cousins did attend Ruthie's birthday party two years ago, and were delighted to see how many people cared for and appreciated the well-known "Duck Girl of the Vieux Carre." Ardon and her son, Ryan, had repeatedly called the home the week prior to the party to inform them of the party plans. The assistant administrator of the home, Bruce Sullivan, would not receive or return their phone calls. Diane Ardon, who is one of the few people who actually visit Ruthie and take her out on trips, called again during the week to arrange to have Ruthie picked up. She spoke to a nurse. " I told them to have her dressed for Saturday and to let me know if there were any problems. I gave them several numbers where they could reach me," Ardon recalls. She says the nurse even commented on how nice it was that they were having the party. But on Saturday afternoon, the day of the party, Ruthie was nowhere to be found. The weekend staff also refused Ardon's request to drop off some presents in Ruthie's room. Ardon told the nurse on duty, "Why didn't you have the courtesy of calling me? I gave the charge nurse all my numbers and told them to call me if there was any problems." At Rock 'N' Bowl, the party went on without Ruthie. Many old friends showed up, and the documentary on her life was shown on a large video screen. The usually festive party turned quite somber as party hats and horns sat untouched on a table. During the party, Rick Delaup, the director of the film, called the nursing home and spoke to head nurse, Yolanda Briggs. Briggs told Delaup that Ruthie was not there and was with family, "She said that Ruthie's family comes first, and that we could not see her." When asked if Ruthie was at the nursing home, Briggs hung the phone up on Delaup. In 2001, Ruthie did attend her 67th birthday party at Rock 'N' Bowl. The event was well attended and covered by three television stations and the Times-Picayune. The late, great, R&B performer, Ernie K-Doe donated his time to perform for Ruthie. The St. Charles Health Care administrators attempted to prohibit Ruthie from attending that party, but the Times-Picayune was contacted and ran an article the morning of her party. Others in the community also intervened and contacted Ruthie's doctor. Around the same time, an e-mail was circulated giving the details of two escapes by Ruthie from the nursing home. On one escape, she was recovered from the French Quarter, but not until the next morning. On the day of Ruthie's 67th birthday party, the nursing home reluctantly let Ruthie attend. But in 2002, St. Charles Health Care finally succeeded in keeping Ruthie locked in the home. After this year's party, eleven people (including Diane Ardon, Steve Lindsley, Perri the Hobo, Rick and Maria Delaup, Dee Yeager, and Gary Moody) made the caravan to St. Charles Health Care to deliver the birthday cake and presents to Ruthie. As the group was buzzed into the home, a video camera was rolling and followed them in. The receptionist called a nurse to come out. The following are transcripts from the tape. Nurse: May I help you all? Steve: We had a party for Ruthie the Duck Lady and she couldn't make it so we came over here to bring her her cake and presents. Nurse (interrrupting): Okay, I can accept the cake, but I cannot accept you all here to visit with her. Unfortunately, she has gone out of the building with family. Dawn: She has no family. Nurse: She does have family. Dee: No she doesn't. Nurse: She does. Rick: Who is her family? Nurse: I'm going by what administration has told me. Dee: So you don't personally know? Nurse: No, but she's not here. Dee: If she's really gone, then do you have an objection to us looking in her room to make sure she's not there. Nurse: Yes, I do have objection to you all. Dee: Why is that? Nurse: Because I cannot let that happen, because administration told me so. So right now, you all are trespassing. The staff of St. Charles Health Care then called the New Orleans police department. Ardon asked a resident if he had seen Ruthie. The man replied "yes," and that he would go get her. As the receptionist called his name, he ignored her and went through a set of windowed doors and disappeared. Suddenly, the group of eleven friends spotted Ruthie through the glass door heading towards them. She was smiling, and appeared happy to see them. A nurse quickly went for the door and held it shut, while members of the group shouted out to Ruthie and some sang "Happy Birthday." Ruthie was ushered down the hall and out a back door. The video camera captures it all. Gary Moody, who befriended Ruthie the Duck Girl in the early Sixties, and has been her pen pal ever since, stood by silently. Living in Minnesota, Moody was reunited with Ruthie in 1998 during the filming of the documentary on her life. He came to the party dressed in his best suit and tie. At the nursing home, he held her present in his hands. It was a framed photo of himself that he knew Ruthie would like to have on her night table. He never had the chance to give it to her. Two police officers showed up and ordered the group out of the nursing home. Outside, the group gathered. From the very beginning, Diane Ardon found the treatment by the nursing home staff very peculiar, "It seemed all rehearsed. They had no intention of letting her go. I think they got pleasure in having us go through all the trouble of putting on the party, and telling us she's not here." "We just wanted to see Ruthie and give her her cake and presents and they actually escorted her away from us," Maria Delaup said in disbelief. Steve Lindsley remarked, "It's a violation of her civil rights, patient rights. This is a medicaid/medicare facility. You cannot do this." Kathy Fleming, a fan of the Duck Lady, bought the cake for Ruthie's party. Out on the sidewalk she said, "I think it's ridiculous. I used to work in a nursing home. I've never seen anything like this before." When later informed about the incident, Thelma Nickens, Ruthie's cousin in Baton Rouge told Rick Delaup, "That is appaling... I can't see any harm in allowing Ruthie to attend the party. If they were worried about her becoming disruptive when she returned, they could have at least allowed the group to see her. Knowing what I do about Ruthie, I am sure she would have enjoyed herself!" Is there anything that can be done? Why is Ruthie being held prisoner by St. Charles Health Care? Please forward this e-mail to any connections you may have with politicians, press, or any advocacy groups for the elderly. You can also contact the nursing home: Bruce Sullivan (Assistant Administrator)St. Charles Health Care1539 Delachaise StreetNew Orleans, LA. 70115(504) 895-3953******************************************************************** *********************************From Edward R.-I of course,want to know just what was up and why the people there at the home were so horrid to these friends of Ruthie who celebrate and throw a party for her yearly.I'm sure there was some reason they thought was important enough to keep her from her friends wanting to celebrate her birthday...but to lie and then have her see them and she looked fine is beyond me and cruel on their parts! The author of this piece,and master of the parties for Ruthie is Rick Delaup.Rick Delaup's website- Eccentric New Orleans-is a great site for intreresting facts about...what else...the eccentric of New Orleans! Lots to see as well as a beautiful website tribute to Ruthie all her own...with family history and photos you have to see to believe! Check it out! : - )http://www.eccentricneworleans.com/default.htm************************* ******************************* EDWARD R. COX To see my theatrical online portfolio, check out my NEW website at: http://www.edwardr.makes.it OR, If that link doesn't work,tryhttp://www.geocities.com/edwardrcox/index.html
